Small craft in a harbour that's still and serene,
Give no indication what their ways have been;
They rock at their moorings all nestled in dreams,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Their stern lines are groaning a lullaby air,
A ghost in the cuddy, a gull on the spar;
But never they whisper of journeys afar,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Oh, had they the tongues for to speak,
What tales of adventure they'd weave;
But now they are anchored to sleep,
And slumber alee.
Come fair winds to wake them tomorrow, we pray,
Come harvest a-plenty to them ev'ry day;
Till guided by harbour lights they're home to stay,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Oh, had they the tongues for to speak,
What tales of adventure they'd weave;
But now they are anchored to sleep,
And slumber alee.
Come fair winds to wake them tomorrow, we pray,
Come harvest a-plenty to them ev'ry day;
Till guided by harbour lights they're home to stay,
Away from the roll of the sea.
####.... Allister MacGillivray - Cabot Trail Music (SOCAN) ....####
Allister MacGillivray noted that his song was written in response to a photo of Glace Bay Harbour (Cape Breton), as taken by noted photographer Warren Gordon. "I wanted to write a song with no people in it, only boats at rest. Of course, there's a ghost in one of the verses but he/she doesn't qualify as a human. The song was written as a folk tune at first, but then seemed to work as a choral piece as well. It's been recorded worldwide around 40 times." - AMG to George Seto/Mudcat Forum, Aug 9, 2007.
Note: The YouTube video on this page of the Diocesan Boys' School Homecoming Concert (Hong Kong, 1998) demonstrates the worldwide appeal of this song.
From the Dictionary Of Newfoundland English: Cuddy - cabin at the bow or stern of a small vessel or large boat for accommodation and provisions.